Photographic apparatus



E. H. LAND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 8 April 26, 1955 Original Filed Oct. 14, 194

2 Sheets-Sheet l mm E V@ E INVENTOH E H. LAND PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS 8 April 26, 1955 Original Filed Oct. 14, 194

Shsets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS United States Patent 2,706,937 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Edwin H. Land, Cambridge,

Corporation, Cambridge, ware Mass., assignor to Polaroid ass., a corporation of Dela- Original application now Patent No. Divided and this No. 252,162

October 14, 1948, Serial No. 54,496, 2,576,922, dated November 20, 1951. application October 19, 1951, Serial 8 Claims. (Cl. 95-13) This invention relates to photography and more particularly to such as a dom from actinic light.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 54,496, filed on October 14, 1948, for

Photographic Apparatus, now Patent No. 2,576,022, of

ovember 20, 1951.

A principal object of the possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exaggerated fragmentary sectional view of one form of camera which may embody the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of Fig. l;

ig. 3 is a diagrammatic fragmentary isometric view of a heating element particularly useful tion of the invention s a preferred form of the invention here the type sh 2,706,937 Patented Apr. 26, 1955 positive image on the second sheet. sheet will be hereinafter referred to as ing sheet.

or use in the camera of Figs. 1 and 2 the image-carrymg sheet is composed The front housing 12 bellows 16 to which is connected a lens and shutter assembly schematically indicated at 18. properly positioning the lens and shutter with respect to the front housing 12 there is provided a cover 17 pivoted to the front housing 12 as at 19.

own as being secured at 46, to partition member 30. A pair of springs 48 and a pressure bar 50 apply a resilient load to rolls 38, 40 when these rolls are in the position shown in Fig. l.

The partition member 30 defines, with rear housing 14, a substantially planar chamber 52 into which passes the sandwich formed by laminating sheets 22 and 32 together by means of the layer of spread processing liquid. As can be seen, this chamber 52 is not much thicker than the thickness of the sandwich 22, 32 and has a transverse dimension slightly greater than the width of the sandwich 22, 32. This chamber is preferably sufficiently long to receive at least one processed image area. For providing access to a processed image area in chamber 52 there is included a door 54 in the rear housing 14, this door being hingedly connected to housing 14 as at 56. In a preferred form of construction an inner wall 58 of the door 54 is that surface of the chamber 52 which is maintained at a desired temperature. In a preferred form of the invention this wall 58 is heated in order to transfer heat to the layer of liquid in the sandwich 22, 32. An outer wall 66, of door 54, preferably cooperates with the inner Wall 58 thereof to form a chamber 62 within the door for supporting a heating medium, generally indicated as a bag at 64, specific forms of the door and the bag being shown best in Figs. 2 and 3. The bag 64 preferably comprises a stratum 66 of material capable of entering into an exothermic reaction. The bag comprises outer walls 68 which are preferably moistureproof, these walls being sealed along the edges, and the ends of the walls being formed into a leader portion 70. Between the walls there is positioned the stratum 66, this stratum being shown, in a preferred form, as comprising a porous sheet, such as a blotter, confining the material to enter into the exothermic reaction. For providing a supply of water capable of creating an exothermic reaction with the material in stratum 66, there is included a collapsible container 74 having a rupturably sealed discharge mouth 75 and preferably carrying a predetermined quantity of viscous aqueous liquid 76. There is preferably sufficient water to thoroughly wet the stratum 66 so that the exothermic reaction will continue for a substantial period of time. This water may advantageously include a viscosity-increasing material such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

As can be seen best in Fig. 2, the outer wall 60 of door 54 is pivotally connected to the remainder of the door by means of a hinge 79. This door is preferably provided with a pair of pressure-applying members adapted to release the liquid 76 from the container 74 and to spread this liquid across the surface of the stratum 66. In the preferred form illustrated, these pressure-applying members comprise a curved surface 78, associated with the hinge 79, which cooperates with a second curved surface 80, preferably carried by inner wall 58, these surfaces being spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the bag 64. A heat-insulating stratum 61 is preferably included as a part of the outer wall 60 of door 54 to prevent loss of heat to the atmosphere and also to prevent this outer wall from getting too hot to touch in those cases where the exothermic reaction generates a relatively high temperature.

A discharge opening 82 is provided at the right-hand end of the sandwich-receiving chamber 52 and a lightseal blade 84 is preferably provided at the left-hand end of the chamber 52 adjacent the pressure rolls 38 and 40. Suitable light seals and latches are provided for preventing fogging of the photosensitive sheet and for maintaining the various elementes of the camera in operative position.

When employing a preferred type of photochemical process in the above-described camera, the photosensitive sheet comprises a silver halide emulsion coated on a suitable base, the image-carrying sheet comprises baryta paper and the processing liquid includes an aqueous alkaline solution of a developer, a silver halide solvent an a film-forming material. The material entering into the exothermic reaction may comprise, for example, finely pulverized metals and other materials which readily OX1- dize when wetted with water. Examples of such materials are set forth in United States Patents 2,126,734 and 2,040,406. When extremely encountered one may use materials capable of entering into a highly exothermic reaction, such as those describ in United States Patents 2,384,720 and 2,315,528.

In the use of the camera described in Figs. 1 and 2, the

occupying the chamber 62 between rear housing 14 is swung open, as is partition 30, these two members being swung around the hinge points 13 and 31 respectively. A spool 26 is placed in the spool holder 28, carried by the partition 30, and the leader portion of the photosensitive sheet 22 is led across backing plate 24, between the arms 44 and around the pressure roll 40. Partition 30 is then moved to the position shown in Fig. l. A coil of image-carrying sheet 32 is placed in the chamber 34, the leader portion thereof is aligned with the leader for the photosensitive material and these two leaders are led along the back of the partition 30 till they extend beyond the right-hand end of the camera. The rear housing 14 is now moved to the position shown in Fig. 1, thereby making the interior of the camera light-tight.

The outer wall 60, of the rear door 54, is moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the leader portion 70, of the heating bag 6 is fed between curved pressure surfaces 78 and 89. This leader portion 70 is then grasped and the heating bag is pulled between the pressure surfaces 73 and 80. As the container 74 passes between these two surfaces, the hydraulic pressure in the viscous aqueous liquid 76 is increased to such an extent that the liquid is forced from mouth 75 and is spread in an even layer across the surface of the stratum 66 containing the material to enter into the exothermic reaction. Pulling of the heating bag 64 is continued until the liquid is spread substantially completely throughout the area of the bag 64. The outer wall 60 of the door 54 is then moved to the dotted line position of Fig. 2, the heating bag, with the liquid spread therein, thus the inner wall 5 and the heat-insulating stratum 61 associated with the outer wall 60 of the door 54. Those portions of the two leaders, associated with sheets 22 and 32, extending from the right-hand end of the camera are then pulled to position an unexposed photosensitive area behind the exposure opening 20. This moving of the leaders positions a container, associated with a corresponding image area on the image-carrying sheet 32, so that the container is in advance of this area and is about to enter the bite of the pressure rolls. Exposure of the photosensitive area is now accomplished by suitably operating the shutter and the two leaders are then pulled to advance these layers in superposition between the pressure rolls 38 and 4-0. As these layers pass between these pressure rolls the processing liquid is released from the container and is spread in a uniform layer between the two sheets, thus forming a sandwich, this sandwich being advanced into the chamber 52 after formation. When the processing of the exposed area has been accomplished by spreading the processing liquid over the surface thereof, this exposed area resides in the chamber 52 and the sheet 32 is in heat-absorbing relation to the inner wall 58 of the door 54. Since this inner wall 58 is heated by the exothermic reaction in the heating bag 64, heat is transferred from the wall 58 to the sheet 32 and to the layer of spread processing liquid. This transferred heat maintains this layer of processing liquid at a sufficiently high temperature to accomplish the formation of both positive and negative images. At the end of a predetermined time, depending upon the degree of heat maintained in the processing liquid and the processing materials involved, the negative and positive images are completely formed and the door 54 may be opened to permit removal of that portion of the image-carrying sheet 32 containing the positive image. Removal of this area is preferably aided by having this area surrounded by perforations made in the sheet at the time of manufacture thereof.

The preferred form of the present invention speeds up the development of the positive and negative images and permits the use of such a processing camera regardless of the temperatures encountered in the use of the camera. It permits the use of processing materials, and amounts thereof, which give optimum images from the viewpoint of color, definition, tone and stability.

When a material is used which generates sufiicient heat to cause the formation of steam, the steam may be discharged to the outside of the camera by supplying a suitable vent. In the alternative, the steam may be allowed to pass into the sandwich-receiving chamber to aid in the heating of the sandwich and also to wet the sandwich by condensation of the steam thereon. In either such case the chamber which holds the heating bag may be 2,706,937 provided with a means for perforating the outer walls Since certain changes may be made in the above appa- 68 of the bag to permit the escape of the generated steam. ratus without departing from the scope of the invention en the steam is discharged into the camera care must herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained be taken to isolate the steam-filled area from the camera in the above description or shown in the accompanying lens to prevent condensation on the lens. drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a e camera illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 includes means imiting sense.

for introducing a heating fluid into the camera body and What is claimed is: distributing the fluid in a layer in heat-transferring rela- 1. In a camera apparatus in which a photosensitive tionship to a sandwich positioned within chamber 52. sheet is exposed and thereafter processed, the combina- In accordance with the present invention, means for intion of a housing which defines an exposure chamber troducing a heated gas, such as air, into chamber 52 are wherein a frame of said photosensitive sheet may be exsubstltuted for the heating fluid introducing means shown posed, a portion of said housing defining an opening to in Figs. 1 an n example of such heated gas-introsaid exposure chamber, a parr of pressure-applying m ucing means is shown in Fig 4, wherein like numerals bers for forming a sandwich by super posing said photo refer to like elements in the preceding figures. As seen sensitive sheet on another sheet and spreading a processin Fig 4 the light-seal blade 84 is preferably omitted ing liquid between said sheets, an inner closure member from the camera of Figs 1 and 2 and the space prepivoted to said housmg at one srde of said opening for vrously occupied thereby contains a heated gas discharge substantially closrn said opening, an outer closure memmeans comprising a parr of manifolds 116 and 18 The er pivoted to another side of said opening for forming lower manifold 116 is suitably mounted on the rear 20 with said inner closure member a processing chamber ousing 14 such as by means of a fitting 120 which may that is adapted to receive a sandwich formed b said also serve as the gas inlet to the mamfolds U per manipressure-applying members, one of said pressure-applying fold lie is preferably secured to partition 36 by means mem ers eing mounted on said inner c osure membe such as a screw 122, the partition 30 being slightly rethe other of said pressure-applying members being cessed as at 124 to accommodate the manifold 118. mounted on said outer closure member, and a pair of Frttlng 120 is preferably connected to a tube 126 which rscharge means for spreading a heated gas on both extends outside of t e camera. The left-hand ends of sides of a sandwich positioned in said processing chamthe two manifolds include a gas pressure seal means er, one of said discharge means being mounted on said shown as a pair of gasket members 128 and 130. A inner closure member and the other of said discharge passage 132 permits gas entering the camera to be dismeans being mounted on said outer closure member. tributed between the two manifolds. Each manifold has 2. In a camera apparatus in which a photosensitive a plurality of gas-discharge orifices 134 distributed along sheet is exposed and thereafter processed, the combinaits length so that the gas emanating from the manifolds tion of a housing which defines an exposure chamber may pass on both sides of the sandwich 22, 32. In a wherein a frame of said photosensitive sheet may be preferred embodiment of the above invention the door exposed, a portion of said housing defining an opening 54 includes an insulating stratum 61a which prevents to said exposure chamber, a pair of pressure-applying transfer of heat between the interior and exterior of the members for forming a sandwich by superposing said camera In this case the partition 3i) is also preferably photosensitive sheet on another sheet and spreading a made of insulating material or covered by a layer of processing liquid between said sheets, an inner closure such material. member pivoted to said housing at one side of said open- In the use of the embodiment of Fig. 4, the rear housing ing for substantially closing said opening, an outer closure 14 is opened, thus separating manifold 116 from manimember pivoted to another side of said opening for formfold 118. The partition 30 is then moved to open posiing with said inner closure member a processing chamtion, the negative spool is placed in the spool holder and ber that is adapted to receive a sandwich formed by said t e negative leader is led around ro l 49 and into the pressure-applying members, one of said pressure-applyposrtron shown in Fig 4 T e positive sheet n2 is placed ing members bern mounted on said inner closure mem- 1n the camera, aligned with negative sheet 22, and the ber, the other of sard pressure-applying members being rear housing is closed, thus movrng the sealing gasket mounted on said outer closure member, a parr of mam- 130 into operative relationship with sealing gasket 128 folds for spreading a heated gas on both sides of a sandand sealing the edges of passage 132. e negative is 50 wich positioned in said processing chamber, one maninext exposed and then is formed into the processin fol eing mounted on said inner closure member and the sandwich as previously described this sandwich being 0t er manifold being mounted on said outer closure advanced rnto the chamber 52 after formation In a mem er, each of said manifolds being provided with a preferred method of using the temperature-controlling Vent, Said belng adapted t0 be allgned t0 PTOVlde means of Fig 4, the camera user inserts the outer end of 55 a p g f1 0111 Said 0116 manifold t 83 d th r manifold tube 126 into 1118 mouth and blows into the tube The g s m ns f r seahn sai passage when said Vents manifolds 1 6 and 118 drstrrbutet e users relatively hot are g and means pr i ing a Passag fr m Said b ath ()11 both sldes f th d i h 22, 3', thi h t other manifold through said outer closure member for reath passing along the outer surfaces of the sandwich p r s the llltroductlfin of heated gas Into Sald P until the right-hand end of the camera is reached. The 658mg Chamberexcess breath may e conveniently discharged through hotogfaphlc apparatus compflsmg a P Of t e opening 82 t th right-hand d f th camera Th pressure-applying members for superposing an exposed ayer of breath on both sides of the sandwich has two photosensitive sheel and anoiher Sheet and Spreadlng a important functions. In the first place it heats the sand- Processing Composition thefebetween to form 3 Sandwich, wich, and secondly it provides an atmosphere of very a P Of Closely adjacent p rposed Walls defining a high humidity to prevent evaporation of the water from PIOCeSSl'Hg Chamber all Kind f Whi h is adjacent to said the sandwich and may, in fact, even add water by con pressure-applying members for receiving said sandwich, densation on the sandwich. When the users breath is and elflngated g discharge manif ld xt nding subemployed as the heated gas it is preferred that the seal stantially from one edge of said chamber to tl e opposite nd th exposure o ening of th a era b guflicienfly edge thereof, said manifold having communicating orifice tight to prevent this breath from entering the camera means extending therealorg substantially from one ed bellows and condensing on the inner surface of the thereof to i116 pp g thereof whereby Said manlcamera lens. old is capable of drstributrn warm air along said sandfor spreading the processing liquid for processing the 4. A photographic apparatus comprising a pair of pres p rotosensrtlve sheet numerous alternative embodiments sure-applying members for super posing an exposed photoof these rolls are feasible wrthrn the scope of the rnvensensitive sheet and another sheet and spreadin a proctron s one example thereof, the spreadin surfaces for 688mg COmPOSIfIOII therebcfwfien to form a SflHdWICh, the photochemical processing liquid may comprise a a pair of closely adjacent superposed walls defining a platelike element, such as a flat surface on partition 30, 8O processing chamber an end of which is adjacent to said and a roller which is mounted for movement from one pressure-applying members for" receiving said sandwich, and of chamber 52 to the other end thereof, this roller a first manifold within said chamber on one side of said releasing and spreading the processing liquid between two sandwich, and a second manifold within said chamber sheets held in stationary superposed relation in chamon the other side of said sandwich, each of said first and ber 2. 35 second manifolds having orifice means extending thereone edge of said sandwich to along substantially from the opposite edge thereof, said first and second manifolds being adapted to distribute warm gas simultaneously on opposite sides of said sandwich.

5. A photographic apparatus comprising a pair of pressure-applying members for superposing an exposed photosensitive sheet and another sheet and spreading a processing composition therebetween to form a sandwich, a pair of closely adjacent superposed walls defining a processing chamber an end of which is adjacent to said pressure-applying members for receiving said sandwich, a first elongated manifold within said chamber having communicating orifice means extending substantially from one edge of said chamber to the opposite edge thereof, and a second elongated manifold within said chamber having communicating orifice means extending substantially from one edge of said chamber to the opposite edge thereof, said first and second manifolds being aligne on opposite sides of said sandwich, said manifolds providing communicating openings, said manifolds being adapted to distribute streams of warm gas simultaneously on opposite sides of said sandwich.

6. A photographic apparatus for processing an exposed photosensitive sheet, said apparatus comprising a first wall and a second wall, said walls being pivotable with respect to each other into predetermined relative positions, a pair of pressure-applying members, one member of said pair being mounted on said first wall, the other member of said pair being mounted on said second wall, said members defining a pressure-applying region through which a photosensitive sheet can advance when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions, said walls when in said predetermined relative positions defining a processing chamber into which said photosensitive sheet can advance from said pressure-applying region, a manifold secured to one of said walls, said manifold being located within said processing chamber when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions, a fitting providing a passage from said manifold through one of said walls, and a tube one end of which is free to be inserted into the mouth of an operator whereby the breath of the operator may be introduced into said processing chamber.

7. A photographic apparatus for processing an exposed photosensitive sheet, said apparatus comprising a first wall and a second wall, said walls being pivotable with respect to each other into predetermined relative positions, a pair of pressure-applying members, one member of said pair being mounted on said first wall, the other member of said pair being mounted on said second wall, said members defining a pressure-applying region through which a photosensitive sheet can advance when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions, said walls when in said predetermined relative positions defining a processing chamber into which said photosensitive sheet can advance from said pressure-applying region, a manifold secured to one of said walls, said manifold being located within said processing chamber when said Walls are in said predetermined relative positions, and a fitting providing a passage through the other of said walls, said fitting being connected to said manifold when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions.

8. A photographic apparatus for processing an exposed photosensitive sheet, said apparatus comprising a first wall and a second wall, said walls being pivotable with respect to each other into predetermined relative positions, a pair of pressure-applying members, one member of said pair being mounted on said first wall, he other member of said pair being mounted on said second wall, said members defining a pressure-applying region through which a photosensitive sheet can advance when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions, said walls when in said predetermined relative positions defining a processing chamber into which said photosensitive sheet can advance from said pressure-applying region, a first manifold secured to said first wall, a second manifold secured to said second wall, said first and second manifolds being located within and on opposite sides of said processing chamber when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions, and a fitting providing a passage from said second manifold through said second wall, said manifolds being operatively connected when said walls are in said predetermined relative positions whereby warm air introduced through said fitting is ejected from both said first manifold and said second manifold on opposite sides of a photosensitive sheet located within said processing chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,424,816 Grillone Aug. 8, 1922 1,494,203 Wolfe May 13, 1924 1,728,361 Pifer Sept. 17, 1929 2,446,668 Tuttle Aug. 10, 1948 

